How to find your teeth shades

The Vita Classical Teeth Colour Chart was launched in 1956 and is still used throughout the dental industry today to illustrate the wide spectrum of teeth shades. Dentists can use the teeth shade guide as a reference during a teeth whitening procedure or for dental restorations. Before teeth whitening, you can match your current tooth colour with the corresponding colour on the chart, then select your desired shade outcome. Your dentist can manage your expectations and show before and after images of potential results. 

Your normal tooth colour may contain more than one shade, or fall within a particular range, so the teeth colour chart is a great tool for dentists to give you a realistic idea of how many shades your teeth could change by during a teeth whitening procedure.

Teeth come in a variety of shades, and just because your teeth aren’t brilliant white doesn’t mean they’re not healthy. In fact, it’s pretty unusual to have naturally pearly white teeth! Your tooth enamel determines how white your teeth are. Enamel is translucent; however, the dentine that lies underneath your enamel is a yellowish colour. Your tooth enamel may also be thinner, allowing the colour of the dentine to come through more. Your genetics will determine your normal tooth colour; however, teeth are still prone to surface stains and can become discoloured over time due to things that you eat and drink, how good your oral routine is and lifestyle factors like smoking.

The classic tooth shade chart divides tooth colour into four basic shade ranges:

• A1-A4 (reddish-brown teeth shades) 

• B1-B4 (reddish-yellow teeth shades) 

• C1-C4 (grey teeth shades) 

• D2-D4 (reddish-grey teeth shades)

Within each range, each shade is graded from lightest to darkest. This results in a simple chart detailed enough for almost everyone to find their exact tooth colour on the guide. To use the guide, simply match your current tooth colour to the corresponding colour on the chart. This gives you a starting point as you determine how much whiter you'd like your teeth to be. 

B1 is deemed the whitest natural tooth colour; however, with the rise in popularity of veneers, dentists have introduced a separate category for porcelain teeth. The BL category ranges from BL1 to BL4 and covers the whitest teeth shades possible.

Your dentist will be able to advise you on how the teeth colour chart should be used, but here are some tips that can help you understand the process:

• Remove any lipstick or balm 

• Sit upright and use a handheld LED light that mimics daylight to understand the true shade of your natural teeth

• Take the teeth shade guide and hold it next to your teeth to compare. Slide the chart from left to right until you narrow it down to a few shades that are closest to your own. 

• Take a single shade and hold it perpendicular to your tooth for 5 seconds, focusing on the middle of your tooth to find the truest match. 

• Look at something else to reset your eyes before switching to the next shade. 

• Your dentist will work with you to agree on a shade match, and then you can understand the results you may achieve with a teeth whitening procedure.

A lot of the smiles we see on TV or in films have been brightened with a teeth whitening procedure or, more commonly now, replaced by veneers! This gives the illusion of the perfect Hollywood smile that is not often achievable with natural teeth. Teeth come in various shapes and sizes, and the colour of natural teeth varies too. Healthy teeth are usually not bright white, but more of a translucent shade of off-white. Your natural tooth colour will be determined by how thick your enamel and underlying dentine are. 

If you’re thinking about getting your teeth professionally restored or whitened, your dentist will work with you to choose a tooth shade that suits your skin tone and eye colour, and complements your overall appearance.

When it comes to teeth whitening, there are many ways to achieve the results you want. A professional teeth whitening procedure tends to offer faster and better results, plus you’re in the safe hands of your dentist. Most professional teeth whitening treatments use the active ingredients hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to penetrate your tooth enamel and gently lift stains, leaving them looking brighter and whiter. Professional whitening may involve laser or LED whitening or your dentist creating custom whitening trays to use at home.

Alternatively, you may want to try a home teeth whitening kit to brighten your smile. In the UK, over-the-counter teeth whitening products can only legally contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide (compared to around 6% in whitening gel from your dentist); however, they can still be effective, especially for keeping recently whitened teeth looking bright. Teeth whitening at home may involve a teeth whitening pen or strips, an LED whitening kit or a teeth whitening toothpaste. 

As expected, professional teeth whitening at the dentist is the more costly option, but it will also let you achieve great results in a much shorter time. For example, with laser whitening, you may even notice a difference after just one session! Whitening at home is a much slower process, but it’s also more affordable. The best teeth whitening option for you will depend on your personal circumstances and preferences.

If you’ve recently had a teeth whitening procedure or want to keep your teeth looking as white as possible, here are some tips you can follow to keep your teeth looking clean and bright:

• Practice a good oral hygiene routine, brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, using a tongue scraper and a fluoride mouthwash to freshen your mouth. 

• Use a teeth whitening toothpaste to remove surface stains that can appear over time. 

• Try to limit foods and drinks that are known to stain your teeth. This includes things like coffee, tea, red wine, curry sauce, tomato sauces and dark fizzy drinks. This is especially important in the 48 hours after a teeth whitening procedure when your tooth enamel is more porous. 

• If whitening at home, be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging and don’t over-whiten.

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about teeth shades and normal tooth colour: